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Author: Krista Lamb

Review of MedsCheck Diabetes Program in Ontario

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Review of MedsCheck Diabetes Program in Ontario

(Thursday, April 6, 2017 – Toronto, ON) – There are more than 2 million Canadians currently living with diabetes, costing the healthcare system 13.1 billion dollars a year. It is the leading cause of adult onset blindness, kidney disease, and non-traumatic lower limb amputations, and diabetes patients are two to four times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than those without diabetes.

In 2010, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care introduced the MedsCheck Diabetes program to help patients better understand their medication therapy and ensure their medications are taken as prescribed. Conducted by community pharmacists, these annual medication reviews promote healthier patient outcomes and self-management of the disease, improve and optimize drug therapy and lifestyle, and ensure the safe, effective, and appropriate use of all types of medications, medication devices, and supplies.
Researchers from the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network (OPEN) have published the findings of a four-year review of the MedsCheck Diabetes program in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes.

Recognizing that medications play a vital role in reducing the development and progression of diabetes complications, the researchers were interested to see if the MedsCheck Diabetes program was accessed by patients, develop a composite of who those patients are, and determine whether or not they took advantage of it annually.

Using administrative claims data for Ontario held by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, they discovered that roughly half of Ontarians with diabetes received a MedsCheck Diabetes review between 2010 and 2014. However, only 4.1% of recipients 66 years of age or older and 2.7% of recipients younger than 66 years of age received a MedsCheck Diabetes follow-up over the same period.

“Through our analysis, it was encouraging to confirm that almost half of Ontarians with diabetes had received this specialized pharmacist consultation, indicating that pharmacists are ready to deliver this type of care to diabetes patients. One surprising finding, however, was that we observed a very low number of follow-up visits despite this being part of the original program,” noted Dr. Lori MacCallum, Sun Life Financial Professor of Wellness and Diabetes Education at the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre and Assistant Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, lead author of the paper. “This is concerning given the chronic nature of diabetes and the complexity of patients receiving the annual review. One would think that follow-up visits would be necessary and desired to ensure continuity of quality care.”

The study revealed a great deal about the patients that are accessing this service, including that recipients 66 years of age and older were on an average of 11 different medications over a one year period before they received a MedsCheck Diabetes review, many of which were high-risk medications like blood thinners, benzodiazepines, and narcotics that are known to cause significant adverse effects in the elderly. In addition, over one-third of MedsCheck Diabetes recipients (33.5%) had a diabetes-related emergency room visit or hospitalization in the year prior to their MedsCheck Diabetes review.

“This study provides a solid foundation for understanding how MedsCheck Diabetes reviews have been utilized since their introduction,” said Dr. MacCallum. “Now, however, we need to continue this research to understand the benefit they provide to patients and the healthcare system, and discover what the enablers and impediments are that influence how this service is offered by pharmacists and accessed by patients.”

This study was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network.

 

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Lori MacCallum
Sun Life Financial Professor of Wellness and Diabetes Education
Banting & Best Diabetes Centre
Faculty of Medicine
Assistant Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Toronto
(416) 340-4800 Ext. 2784
lori.maccallum@uhnresearch.ca

Career Development Awards- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

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Career Development Awards- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

May 15, 2017 • Reply to Christine Kwan

The JDRF’s Career Development Award is a five-year term award, where awardees will focus their research efforts on a subject directly related to JDRF mission goals and research priorities, and position themselves to work at the leading edge of type 1 diabetes research. These awards are designed to assist exceptionally promising investigators. Although JDRF is especially interested in fostering careers in clinical investigation, Career Development Awards may emphasize either basic or clinical topics.

Applicant Eligibility
Required: MD, DMD, DVM, PhD, or equivalent and faculty position or equivalent. This program is intended for individuals at an early stage of their independent academic career. Researchers who have received their first faculty-level appointment less than 3 years before the submission date are eligible to apply for this award. The applicant must hold an academic faculty-level position (including assistant professor or equivalent) at the time of submission of the proposal, at a university, health science center, or comparable institution with strong, well-established research and training programs for the chosen area of interest

Proposal & Submission Process
Access and submit full applications (including research plans) via RMS360. By the internal deadline, applicants are required to have routed their application via RMS360 to the Research Office for review, approval and submission.  In addition, applicants are required to submit their application, in advance of the internal deadline, through the University’s My Research System for institutional approval.

Terms

150,000 USD maximum/year for up to 5 years, including up to 10% for indirect costs

Internal Deadline: June 23, 2017

Sponsor Deadline: June 28, 2017

For more information on the funding opportunity, please click here 

The ACHRU’s Latest Article is on Our Self-Managed Community Diabetes Program vs. Usual Care

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ACHRU researchers are examining the effectiveness of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit-Community Partnership Program (ACHRU-CPP), a new 6-month nurse-led program that promotes self-management for older adults with diabetes and other chronic conditions.

This article in Trials, presents a protocol for the two-armed, multisite, pragmatic, mixed-methods randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study will provide evidence of the success of the community-based self-management program and ultimately reduce the research-to-practice gap.

Markle-Reid M, Ploeg J, Fraser K, Fisher K, Akhtar-Danesh N, Bartholomew A, Gafni A, Gruneir A, Hirst S, Kaasalainen S, Kelly Stradiotto C, Miklavcic J, Rojas-Fernandez C, Sadowski C, Thabane L, Triscott J, Upshur R. (2017) The ACHRU-CPP versus usual care for older adults with type 2 diabetes and multiple chronic conditions and their family caregivers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 18:55. DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-1795-9 

Click here to read the article 

Message des coresponsables scientifiques

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Action diabète Canada termine actuellement sa première année de planification intensive et de mise en œuvre de la première étape de ses travaux de recherche axée sur le patient. En se basant sur notre approche « le patient avant tout », nos chercheurs identifient des lacunes majeures  dans les soins de santé offerts aux patients atteints de diabéte à travers le Canada.  Nos principales activités visent à définir les moyens les plus efficaces de cibler les diabétiques les plus à risque, et de prévenir la cécité, les amputations, les maladies cardiovasculaires et les néphropathies. Les méthodes les plus efficaces pour améliorer le contrôle de la glycémie chez les gens atteints de diabète de type 1 sont la mesure de la glycémie et l’administration d’insuline assistées par la technologie. Or, cette pratique nécessite une prise de décision conjointe entre le patient et un expert en médecine, généralement situé dans un site clinique d’aiguillage tertiaire. Les gens vivant avec le diabète de type 2 qui souffrent également de multiples conditions chroniques ont pour leur part besoin d’un soutien communautaire offert par une équipe de professionnels capables de mettre en œuvre des interventions personnalisées afin d’aborder globalement tous les déterminants de la santé. Ces approches sont guidées par des données probantes de qualité, conformément aux lignes directrices pour le diabète qui prévalent au Canada et aux États-Unis.

À titre de première étape menant à l’adoption de ces interventions éprouvées pour prévenir les complications du diabète, nous devons identifier les gens à risque. À cette fin, notre groupe de travail sur l’informatique de la santé tente actuellement d’établir un répertoire du diabète dans lequel les diabétiques peuvent être inscrits dans le but d’être mis en lien avec les intervenants appropriés de leur système de santé provincial. Dans ce bulletin, Frank Sullivan et Michelle Greiver, les responsables du groupe, décrivent cette approche et son impact potentiel sur le répertoriage des diabétiques et de leur état de santé actuel. Parallèlement, Action diabète Canada lancera des projets visant à améliorer les interventions auprès des gens atteints de diabète de type 1 et de diabète de type 2. Dans ce bulletin, nous vous présentons Doug Mumford, l’un de nos représentants de patients, qui est atteint du diabète de type 1 depuis 49 ans, afin qu’il témoigne de l’efficacité du traitement par insuline assisté par la technologie.

La deuxième étape de notre programme consiste à accroître le nombre de scientifiques menant de la recherche axée sur le patient au Canada en vue de créer un environnement caractérisé par l’apprentissage continu au sein duquel les améliorations apportées aux soins offerts aux diabétiques sont fondées sur les meilleures données probantes. Notre groupe de travail sur la formation et le mentorat, dirigé par Mathieu Bélanger et André Carpentier, a mis sur pied un programme complet à l’intention des étudiants des cycles supérieurs, des étudiants en sciences de la santé et des étudiants postdoctoraux prenant part à la recherche sur le diabète présentée dans ce bulletin. Nous remercions sincèrement Diabète Canada (anciennement l’Association canadienne du diabète) pour le généreux soutien offert à Action diabète Canada pour l’établissement de nouvelles bourses de recherche postdoctorale conjointes en recherche axée sur le patient. Ces bourses seront offertes pour la première fois en 2017.

Finalement, nous sommes impatients d’accélérer tous nos projets en 2017-2018. À cette fin, nos projets seront présentés en mai à l’occasion de notre atelier annuel qui regroupera nos représentants de patients, nos chercheurs et les représentants de nos intervenants afin qu’ils puissent évaluer les progrès réalisés à ce jour et s’engager à l’égard des objectifs stratégiques de la prochaine année.

 

A message from Diabetes Action Canada

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Diabetes Action Canada is now completing its first year of intensive planning and implementing the first stage of our patient-oriented research endeavours. Using our patients’ first lens our investigators are identifying major gaps in health care across Canada for individuals living with diabetes. Our core activities focus on establishing the most effective ways to identify those at risk and prevent blindness, amputations, cardiovascular and kidney disease. For individuals living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), the most successful methods of improving glucose control is through technology-assisted glucose sensing and insulin delivery. This requires shared-decision making between the patient and a medical expert, generally located in tertiary referral clinical sites. For individuals living with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), who also suffer from multiple chronic conditions, community-based support is required from a professional team who can provide customized interventions to holistically address  all health determinants. These approaches are supported by a high level of evidence in keeping with the Canadian and American diabetes guidelines.

As the first step in establishing these proven interventions to prevent diabetes complications, we must first identify individuals who are at risk. To this end, our Health Informatics group is now working on establishing a diabetes repository in which individuals with diabetes can be registered for the purpose of connecting with their provincial health systems. Frank Sullivan and Michelle Greiver, the group leads, describe this approach and the potential impact on identifying individuals with diabetes and their current health status. Concurrently, Diabetes Action Canada will be launching specific projects to improve interventions for individuals with both T1D and T2D.  We feature one of our patient representatives, Doug Mumford, who has lived with T1D for 49 years and attests to the successful use of technology-assisted insulin treatment.

The second step is to increase the capacity of our patient-oriented research workforce in Canada to enable a continual learning environment where improvements in care for individuals living with diabetes is supported by best evidence. Our Training and Mentoring Group, under the leadership of Mathieu Bélanger and André Carpentier, has established a comprehensive program for graduate students, health professional students and post-doctoral students engaged in diabetes research. We are most grateful to Diabetes Canada (formerly the Canadian Diabetes Association) for their generous support in partnering with Diabetes Action Canada to establish new joint postdoctoral fellowships in patient-oriented research commencing in 2017.

We look forward to accelerating all of our endeavours in 2017-18 that will be kicked off at our Annual Workshop in May where all of our patient representatives, investigators and stakeholder representatives will meet to evaluate progress to date and commit to next year’s strategic goals.

Atelier annuel d’Action diabète Canada, 26 et 27 mai

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Les responsables scientifiques, chercheurs principaux, co-chercheurs, représentants de patients et représentants des intervenants clés
d’Action diabète Canada se réuniront à Toronto les 26 et 27 mai à l’occasion de son atelier annuel.

L’objectif de cette rencontre en personne est d’évaluer les progrès réalisés à ce jour et de faire progresser la planification stratégique pour la prochaine année et au-delà. Cette expérience de réseautage est vitale pour l’élaboration de nouvelles occasions de collaboration. Nous tentons en effet de comprendre comment nos principaux projets peuvent être intégrés à d’autres afin d’entraîner des résultats optimaux, entre autres la transformation des connaissances en solutions pratiques pour les diabétiques. La dernière année en a été une de démarrage et de progrès. Afin de continuer à optimiser notre impact, notre atelier présentera tous les projets menés dans nos divers volets – engagement des patients, santé autochtone, dépistage de la rétinopathie, informatique de la santé, essais cliniques, formation et mentorat, application des connaissances, et sexe et genre. Avant cet atelier de deux jours, nos conseils de patients se réuniront et se prépareront à orienter les délibérations lors de l’établissement de la vision et de la planification stratégique pour notre recherche et notre développement des capacités. Pour leur part, le conseil de direction et le comité permanent responsable des partenariats stratégiques et de l’innovation tiendront une réunion en vue de nous conseiller lors des délibérations de l’atelier. Nous sommes impatients de réseauter avec tous les intervenants d’Action diabète Canada.

Annual Diabetes Action Canada Workshop, May 26, 27

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Our Diabetes Action Canada Scientific Leads, Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators,
patient representatives and key stakeholder representatives will convene in Toronto at our annual workshop on May 26, 27.

The purpose of this face-to-face meeting is to evaluate our progress to date and advance strategic planning for the next year and beyond. This networking experience is critically important for the development of new opportunities to build collaborative relationships. We aim to better understand how our major projects can be integrated for optimal outcomes including translation of knowledge into practical solutions for individuals living with diabetes.  After a year of start-up and much progress, our workshop will highlight all of our projects in Patient-Engagement, Indigenous Health, Retinopathy Screening, Health Informatics, Clinical Trials, Teaching and Mentoring, Knowledge Translation, Sex&Gender – focused on impact. In advance of the two day workshop, our Patient Councils will meet and prepare to advise our deliberations during the visioning and strategic planning of our research and capacity building. As part of our proceedings, the Steering Council and the Standing Committee on Strategic Partnering and Innovations will meet and then advise us during our workshop deliberations. We look forward to this exciting opportunity to network with all those engaged in Diabetes Action Canada.

Membres à l’honneur – 2017 Marche

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Frank Sullivan

Dr. Frank Sullivan

Le Dr Frank Sullivan est professeur de médecine familiale à l’Université de Toronto avec une affectation clinique au North York General Hospital. Il est également directeur du University of Toronto Practice Based Research Network. Avant de s’établir au Canada, il a participé au développement du Scottish Care Information – Diabetes Collaboration (SCI-DC), qui effectue le suivi en temps réel des renseignements cliniques sur les 300 000 personnes atteintes du diabète de type 1 et de type 2 en Écosse. Les données de ce système sont utilisées en recherche de même que pour l’amélioration de la qualité et les soins cliniques. Or, certains des apprentissages réalisés au cours des 15 années de développement du système écossais pourraient être applicables au Canada. En retour, bon nombre des nouvelles approches prometteuses en élaboration au Canada pourraient aider les diabétiques de l’Écosse.

 

 

 

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Dr. Michelle Greiver 

 

La Dre Michelle Greiver est professeure de médecine familiale à l’Université de Toronto avec une affectation clinique au North York General Hospital. Elle a participé à la création et au développement du Réseau canadien de surveillance sentinelle en soins primaires. De plus, elle étudie la mise en œuvre des dossiers médicaux électroniques et son effet sur les services de prévention. La Dre Greiver croit que l’absence de normes relatives aux données et les problèmes liés à la qualité des données dans le contexte des DME nuisent aux efforts d’amélioration de la qualité relativement à divers problèmes de santé à long terme, entre autres le diabète. Elle participe également à des études examinant l’amélioration des données dans les DME et est la directrice adjointe du University of Toronto Practice Based Research Network.

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Mumford IMG_8605-1

Doug Mumford

Doug Mumford a reçu un diagnostic de diabète en 1968. À l’origine, puisque seuls les tests d’urine et l’insuline animale étaient disponibles, il était difficile de parvenir à un contrôle de la glycémie. Il se sent donc privilégié et reconnaissant d’être encore vivant et en santé 49 ans plus tard!

 

En 2009, il s’est porté volontaire pour un essai clinique visant à déterminer si une pompe à insuline couplée à un lecteur de glycémie avait le potentiel d’aider les patients à réduire leur taux d’A1C. Pour M. Mumford, qui est ingénieur en mesure et contrôle, la surveillance continue de la glycémie a été comme une seconde nature. Il disposait enfin d’un outil lui permettant de contrôler sa glycémie. Comme il le dit si bien : « Si on ne peut pas mesurer un paramètre, on ne peut pas espérer le contrôler. » Or, pendant l’essai, son taux d’A1C a chuté de 8,5 % à 6,5 % et se maintient actuellement à un taux encore plus bas. Et plus important encore, M. Mumford peut maintenant vivre sa vie comme bon lui semble. Une chose qui était auparavant impossible.

Le Dr Bruce Perkins était le chercheur-clinicien de cet essai et est depuis le médecin traitant de M. Mumford. Après cet essai, croyant pouvoir aider les autres diabétiques, il est devenu bénévole et joue encore activement ce rôle aujourd’hui. Il a d’ailleurs participé activement au développement d’un portail à l’intention des diabétiques sur le Web; ce site Web sera lancé sous peu. En collaboration avec une collègue infirmière, il a également développé un logiciel pour illustrer comment, avec une pompe à insuline, l’utilisation de bolus d’insuline modifiés peut moduler l’excursion glycémique. Ultérieurement, le Dr Perkins a suggéré à M. Mumford de s’impliquer dans l’initiative de la SRAP. Après avoir tout lu ce qu’il a trouvé sur le Web sur le sujet, il a décidé de se porter volontaire et a été choisi à titre de membre du conseil général des patients. Après quelques jours à peine, les membres ont réalisé qu’il cadrait parfaitement dans le projet d’informatique de la santé d’Action diabète Canada. Il a donc été recruté au comité technique de ce projet, et il y contribue d’une part à titre de représentant du point de vue des patients et d’autre part à titre d’expert en données et en systèmes.

 

Members Recognized – March 2017

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Frank Sullivan

Dr. Frank Sullivan

Dr. Frank Sullivan is an academic family physician at the University of Toronto with clinical appointment at North York General Hospital and is the director of the University of Toronto’s Practice Based Research Network. Before coming to Canada, he was involved in developing the Scottish Care Information – Diabetes Collaboration (SCI-DC), which tracks real-time clinical information on all 300,000 people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in Scotland. Data in this system are used for research and quality improvement as well as clinical care. Some of the lessons learnt over fifteen years developing the Scottish system may be applicable in Canada. Many of the new and exciting approaches being developed in Canada may be beneficial to people in Scotland with diabetes.

 

 

 

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Dr. Michelle Greiver 

 

Dr. Michelle Greiver is an academic family physician at the University of Toronto with clinical appointment at North York General Hospital. She has been involved with the inception and development of Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance system. She is also involved in studying Electronic Medical Record implementation and its effect on preventive services. Dr. Greiver believes that the lack of data standards and problematic data quality in EMRs are holding back quality improvement efforts in a range of long-term health problems, including diabetes. She is involved in studies looking at improving EMR data quality and is the deputy director of the University of Toronto’s Practice Based Research Network.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Mumford IMG_8605-1

Doug Mumford

Doug Mumford has had diabetes since 1968.  Initially with only urine testing and animal insulins, control was difficult to achieve and Doug feels lucky and grateful that he is still around and healthy forty-nine years later!

In 2009 he volunteered in a clinical trial to determine whether a Sensor Augmented Insulin Pump could enable patients to lower their A1C.  A measurement and control engineer, Doug took to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) like a duck to water, seeing it as a tool to finally enable control of blood glucose (BG) levels.  As Doug says, “If you cannot measure something, you cannot hope to control it”.  His A1C fell from 8.5% to 6.5% during the trial and has remained below that, and more importantly Doug now lives life as he chooses.  That freedom was impossible before.

Dr. Bruce Perkins was the research clinician for that trial and Doug switched to him for ongoing care.  Believing he could help others with diabetes, Doug became a volunteer and has been active in that role ever since.  He has been instrumental in developing a Diabetes Patient Portal website which will soon go live.  With a nurse colleague, he also developed software to show graphically how insulin pump complex boluses actually affect BG over their duration.  Patients have found this tool very helpful.Dr. Perkins suggested that Doug get involved in the SPOR initiative and after reading everything he could find on-line, Doug volunteered and was selected as a member of the General Patient Council.  Within days they realized Doug was a good fit for the Diabetes Action Canada Health Informatics project and drafted him to its Technical Committee where he has contributed both by representing the patient viewpoint and as someone knowledgeable in data and systems.

 

Our new Steering Council Chair and Vice Chairs

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The Steering Council of Diabetes Action Canada, is our highest level of governance and provides the Network with the necessary guidance and oversight on all aspects of our Network activities.

 

 

 

We are delighted to announce our new Steering Council Chair is Malcolm King. Malcolm led the CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health as its Scientific Director for the past 8 years, and has devoted many years to improving wellness and achieving health equity for Indigenous Peoples through his tireless efforts in promoting meaningful research and strategic collaboration.  We are privileged to be able to tap Malcolm’s invaluable leadership and wealth of experience.

Provided below for your information, are links to Malcolm’s profile and the Steering Council webpage of the Diabetes Action Canada website.

– https://www.sfu.ca/fhs/people/profiles/malcolm-king.html

– http://s971398767.online-home.ca/about/

Terry Sullivan and Ross Gray have very kindly agreed to accept the invitation to be the Chairs of the Nomination/Governance and Finance/Audit Standing Committees, respectively.

As Chair of the Nomination/Governance Standing Committee, Terry leads the Committee in the recruitment of members for the Steering Council and Standing Committees, as well, organize the performance evaluation for the Steering Council and our leadership of the SPOR Network. Ross, in his capacity as Chair of the Finance/Audit Standing Committee, will lead the Committee in providing oversight of the budget plannings, financial reporting and audits for the Network.

Dr. Terrence Sullivan currently serves on a number of governance and advisory roles in health services and health policy. He is the Chair of CADTH’s Board of Directors, the Quality Committee of the Hospital for Sick Children, and the Governance Committee for Exactis Innovation (a federal Network Centre of Excellence focused on new therapeutics for cancer).

Ross Gray is currently a Patient Representative advising Diabetes Action Canada. He is a semi-retired Real Estate developer who has been a member of the Rotary Club of Bolton for over 25 years. He has held many Executive positions within several corporates and charitable organizations. Also, Mr. Gray is actively involved in major charitable endeavors (both locally and nationally) including the Banting & Best Cabinet. He has been supporting Diabetes Research for around 10 years and has been greatly involved with Dr. Gary Lewis.

Diabetes Action Canada is delighted to have members with such outstanding skills serving on our Steering Council.

 

Nouveaux présidents du conseil de direction et des comités permanents :

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Le conseil de direction d’Action diabète Canada est sa plus haute instance de gouvernance et a pour mission de guider et de surveiller tous les aspects des activités du réseau.

 

 

 

Nous sommes enchantés d’annoncer la nomination de Malcolm King au poste de président du conseil de direction. Au cours des huit dernières années, M. King a occupé le poste de directeur scientifique de l’Institut de la santé des Autochtones des IRSC. Il a consacré plusieurs d’années de sa carrière à l’amélioration du bien-être des populations autochtones et à l’atteinte de l’équité en santé pour ces peuples en déployant sans relâche des efforts visant à promouvoir des recherches significatives et des collaborations stratégiques. Nous sommes privilégiés de pouvoir compter sur le leadership inestimable et la vaste expérience de M. King.

Vous trouverez ci-dessous des liens vers le profil de M. King et la page Web du conseil de direction d’Action diabète Canada.

– https://www.sfu.ca/fhs/people/profiles/malcolm-king.html

-http://s971398767.online-home.ca/conseil-de-direction/?lang=fr

Terrence Sullivan et Ross Gray ont très généreusement accepté d’agir respectivement à titre de président du comité permanent sur la gouvernance et les nominations et de président du comité permanent des finances et de la vérification.

En tant que président du comité permanent sur la gouvernance et les nominations, M. Sullivan mènera les activités du comité visant à recruter des membres pour le conseil de direction et les comités permanents. Il organisera également les évaluations du rendement pour le conseil de direction et la direction du réseau de la SRAP. M. Gray, à titre de président du comité permanent des finances et de la vérification, dirigera le comité en vue de surveiller les activités du réseau en lien avec la planification budgétaire, la publication de l’information financière et la vérification.

  1. Sullivan exerce des fonctions de gouvernance et de consultation dans le domaine des services et des politiques de santé au sein de plusieurs organismes. Il préside le conseil d’administration de l’Agence canadienne des médicaments et des technologies de la santé (ACMTS), le comité d’assurance de la qualité de l’Hospital for Sick Children et le comité de gouvernance du conseil d’administration d’Innovation Exactis (un membre des Réseaux de centres d’excellence du gouvernement fédéral travaillant sur la thérapeutique de pointe dans la lutte contre le cancer).
  2. Gray conseille Action diabète Canada à titre de représentant de patients. Il est promoteur immobilier semi-retraité et membre du Rotary Club of Bolton depuis plus de 25 ans. En outre, il a occupé bon nombre de postes de haut niveau au sein d’organisations caritatives et d’entreprises, en plus de participer activement à d’importantes campagnes de financement (à l’échelle locale et nationale), entre autres pour le Banting and Best Diabetes Centre. Cela fait déjà près de 10 ans qu’il soutient la recherche sur le diabète, notamment aux côtés du Dr Gary Lewis.

Action diabète Canada se réjouit de bénéficier des compétences exceptionnelles de ces membres au sein de son conseil de direction.

New Diabetes Pharmacist Network-developed learning module for pharmacists about the need for preconception care in women with diabetes

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New Diabetes Pharmacist Network-developed learning module for pharmacists about the need for preconception care in women with diabetes

Women with diabetes and their unborn children have a greater likelihood of developing complications during pregnancy, compared with the general population.

 

(Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – TORONTO) – Today, a new online interactive learning module launched that will help educate over a thousand pharmacists from across Canada on the recommendations for preconception care for women with diabetes. The project is the result of an on-going collaboration between the Diabetes Pharmacists Network based at the University of Toronto’s Banting & Best Diabetes Centre and Diabetes Action Canada.

“Pregnant women with diabetes and their unborn children have significantly higher rates of complications – compared to women in the general population,” said Dr. Lori MacCallum, Sun Life Financial Professor in Wellness and Diabetes Education and Assistant Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto. “Women with diabetes see a pharmacist more often than any other health care provider. By educating pharmacists on the importance of preconception care, they will be able to play a significant role in reaching women with diabetes of childbearing age and providing education.”

Women with diabetes who become pregnant are at greater risk of many potential complications, which include: malformations in the baby, preterm delivery, large for gestational age infants, caesarean delivery as well as worsening diabetes complications in the mother, such as high blood pressure and eye disease. The good news is that studies have shown that preconception care, ideally delivered in the planning stages for pregnancy, before one becomes pregnant – can significantly reduce risks, almost to the level of women without diabetes.

Unfortunately, less than 50% of women receive such care and vulnerable populations including women with a lower socioeconomic status, lower health literacy, and those with a poor relationship with their health care provider are less likely to receive such care. All women with diabetes of childbearing potential need to be aware of the need for preconception care regardless of where they are in their reproductive journey. It is vital to implement these measures prior to women becoming pregnant.

This is where pharmacists, particularly community pharmacists, can play a greater role in addressing this care gap.

The new module will educate pharmacists about the importance of preconception care, particularly in women with diabetes, and the recommendations for blood sugar control, safety of medications, folate supplementation and screening for diabetes complications. It features tools that allow pharmacists to self-assess their current knowledge, watch an expert video, apply their learning to a patient case, and discuss the topic with their peers.

“Our goal is to empower and support pharmacists in taking a greater role in the delivery of preconception care,” said Dr. MacCallum.

For more information about this exciting initiative, please visit diabetespharmacistsnetwork.ca.

Vous désirez mettre en place une collaboration en recherche sur la santé cardiométabolique, le diabète ou l’obésité (CMDO) ? Vous avez ou recherchez une expertise unique dans le domaine ?

Written by Krista Lamb on . Posted in News - French.

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Vous désirez mettre en place une collaboration en recherche sur la santé cardiométabolique, le diabète ou l’obésité (CMDO) ? Vous avez ou recherchez une expertise unique dans le domaine ?

 

L’Outil de Réseautage Interactif pour la Recherche (RIR) du Réseau CMDO a été créé pour vous. Cet outil, pour les chercheurs et quiconque qui travaille en recherche, facilite la recherche d’expertise et l’établissement de collaboration entre les membres du Réseau CMDO et les acteurs de la recherche locaux, nationaux et internationaux.
Vous pourrez
1) créer votre profil de chercheur afin de catalyser des connexions avec d’autres groupes qui sont à la recherche de votre expertise ou
2) faire des Demandes de support afin d’accélérer votre recherche en lien avec les thématiques CMDO.

Pour tous les détails, cliquez ici. Toutes les informations sont aussi disponibles en anglais (Interactive Networking Tool for Research – INtR).

 

 

N’hésitez pas à contacter Lucien Junior Bergeron pour de plus amples informations
– lucien.junior.bergeron@rrcmdo.ca ou
visitez le site web du réseau – www.rrcmdo.ca (le dépliant du CMDO est attaché à ce courriel).

 

 

 

Looking for collaboration in Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes or Obesity (CMDO) research? Looking for or having a special expertise in the domain?

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LogoCMDO_Complet_Rouge

Looking for collaboration in Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes or Obesity (CMDO) research? Looking for or having a special expertise in the domain?

 

The CMDO Network Interactive Networking tool for Research (INtR) was created for you. This tool, aimed at researchers and anyone else working in research, facilitate expertise research and establishment of collaborations between Quebec CMDO network members and local, national or international research expertises.

You will be able to
1) create your researcher profile to catalyze connections with others groups who are looking for your expertise or
2) to make requests for support to accelerate your search related to the CMDO themes. For more details, click here. All information is also available in French (Outil de Réseautage Interactif pour la Recherche – Outil RIR).

 

 

Do not hesitate to contact Lucien Junior Bergeron for more information – lucien.junior.bergeron@rrcmdo.ca
or visit the network website – www.rrcmdo.ca

 

 

 

 

La Charte d’accès du diabète de type 1 de T1International

Written by Krista Lamb on . Posted in News - French.

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T1International croit en un monde où tous les gens atteints de diabète de type 1 – peu importe où ils demeurent – ont tout ce dont ils ont besoin pour survivre et réaliser leurs rêves. L’organisation a pour mission de veiller à ce que les gens vivant avec le diabète de type 1 aient un accès adéquat à l’insuline, à des fournitures liées au diabète, à des soins médicaux et à de l’éducation sur le diabète. T1International effectue son travail au moyen d’efforts de sensibilisation, de campagnes et de collaboration avec des initiatives existantes, et également en soutenant les gens et les organisations sur le terrain qui tentent d’améliorer la vie des gens aux prises avec le diabète de type 1.

La Charte d’accès du diabète de type 1 de T1International a été créée afin de prendre position contre le révoltant manque d’accès à des produits essentiels qui permettraient de sauver des vies auquel font face des gens atteints de diabète de type 1 partout sur la planète. . Bon nombre de personnes atteintes du diabète de type 1 meurent ou souffrent de complications coûteuses parce que l’insuline de même que les fournitures et l’éducation associées requises pour gérer leur diabète demeurent hors de leur portée. Cette Charte servira à soutenir les efforts de sensibilisation portant sur le diabète de type 1 à l’échelle mondiale. Elle montrera au monde que beaucoup de voix s’unissent en soutien à ces droits. Elle pourra de plus servir à influencer l’action des gouvernements et des organisations afin que les politiques soient modifiées et que les droits des personnes atteintes du diabète de type 1, priorisés.

En signant la Charte, vous convenez que chaque personne atteinte de diabète de type 1 a le droit à ce qui suit :

  1. Le droit à l’insuline
  2. Le droit de connaître sa glycémie
  3. Le droit à l’éducation au diabète
  4. Le droit aux soins médicaux
  5. Le droit à une vie sans discrimination

 

Pour en savoir plus et signer la charte, veuillez vister le
https://www.t1international.com/get-involved/

 

 

The T1International Type 1 Diabetes Access Charter

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YUv8kDBwT1International believes in a world where everyone with type 1 diabetes – no matter where they live – has everything they need to survive and achieve their dreams. This organization works towards ensuring people with type 1 diabetes have adequate access to insulin, diabetes supplies, medical care and diabetes education. T1International does this by raising awareness, campaigning and collaborating with existing initiatives, and supporting individuals and organisations on the ground that are working to make life better for people with type 1 diabetes.

The T1International Type 1 Diabetes Access Charter was created to take a stand against the outrageous lack of access to life saving essentials that people with type 1 diabetes around the world face every day. Many people with type 1 diabetes are dying or suffering expensive complications because insulin, and the supplies and education to manage diabetes, remain out of reach. This Charter will be used to bolster type 1 diabetes advocacy efforts worldwide. It will show the world that there are many voices united in support of these rights. It can be used to influence the actions of governments and organizations so that policies can be changed and the rights of people with type 1 diabetes can be prioritized.

By signing this Charter, you agree that everyone with type 1 diabetes has the following rights:

  1. The right to insulin
  2. The right to manage blood sugar
  3. The right to diabetes education
  4. The right to healthcare
  5. The right to live a life free from discrimination

    Read more and sign the charter by visiting this link:
    https://www.t1international.com/get-involved/

     

 

Congratulations to Dr. Gillian Booth for having her research selected by the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Council as one of the most impactful papers of 2016.

Written by Krista Lamb on . Posted in News. No Comments on Congratulations to Dr. Gillian Booth for having her research selected by the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Council as one of the most impactful papers of 2016.

 

Dr. Booth is a Scientist in the Centre for Urban Health Solutions (C-UHS) in the Keenan Research Centre located at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. She is also an Adjunct Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Dr. Booth’s research focuses on environmental, socioeconomic, and health care factors influencing the risk of diabetes and related chronic diseases. A major thrust of her research focuses on effects of the built environment on health, which is supported by a 7-year CIHR Foundation Grant.

Dr. Booth and her team published a highly impactful research paper entitled “Association of neighborhood walkability with change in overweight, obesity, and diabetes” in JAMA. This study found that urban neighbourhoods with highly walkable urban designs had a stable prevalence of overweight and obesity and declining diabetes incidence during a 12-year period (2001-2012). Throughout this period, rates of each of these conditions were significantly lower in these highly walkable neighbourhoods compared with less walkable areas, in which levels of obesity had continued to increase.

 

For further information on this research, please see: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2524191

Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day! (Wednesday, May 31, 2017)

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Trillium Research Day - Primary Health Care Research Day

This event is an opportunity to share your primary health care relevant research in a welcoming and constructive atmosphere. The conference will expose participants to the latest in peer-reviewed primary health care research in Ontario. Hosted by the INSPIRE-PHC Program.

Click on the button below for more information: 

Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day

Congratulations Dr. Paul Fernyhough!

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Congratulations Dr. Paul Fernyhough for publishing your paper, Selective antagonism of muscarinic receptors is neuroprotective in peripheral neuropathy, on the Journal for Clinical Investigation!

 

Dr. Paul Fernyhough is a Principal Investigator in the Clinical Trials and New Therapies Goal Group at Diabetes Action Canada. Dr. Fernyhough has completed his B.Sc. degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Essex and performed his PhD in biochemistry at University of Sheffield in the UK. He also performed postdoctoral research at Colorado State University, Kings College London and as a Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellow at St Bartholomew’s Medical College. Dr. Fernyhough subsequently worked as a fully tenured lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences (now the Faculty of Life Sciences) at the University of Manchester. Dr. Fernyhough’s general research interest is in the cell biology underlying neurodegenerative disorders of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

His recent paper on the Journal for Clinical Investigation focuses on the identification of a novel endogenous pathway in adult neurons that regulates nerve fiber growth. Normally this pathway suppresses growth of nerve fibers but by the use of antagonist drugs against a key receptor in the pathway, fibers can be released from this constraint and permit higher levels of growth. This allows specific drugs to drive nerve fiber regeneration and repair in disease states such as diabetes and chemotherapy where there is irreversible nerve damage. An exciting aspect of the work is that the drugs being used are old drugs for new uses. These drugs have been used in humans for over 20 years with no serious side effects. This class of drugs is currently being used to treat myopia in children, highlighting the excellent safety profile of these compounds. Therefore, phase 1 trials are expected to progress smoothly; phase 2 trials have been arranged and are already funded for 2017. Also, an interesting component of this drug development work is that these drugs can be applied in a topical formulation. This approach restricts side effects and permits application via patch or cream. Commercialization is proceeding rapidly with a company, WinSanTor Inc, supporting drug development through extensive NIH funding and preparing for clinical trials in 2017-2018.

To read more about Dr. Fernyhough’s paper, please click here: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/88321

 

Once again, well done Dr. Paul Fernyhough. Diabetes Action Canada wishes you all the best in your future endeavours!

 

 

 

The impacts of being formally enroled with a GP on continuity and integration of care: Evidence from a comparison of QC and BC

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Diabetes Action Canada is a proud partner with the research project “What are the impacts of being formally enroled with a GP on continuity and integration of care? Evidence from a comparison of Quebec and British Columbia”

This research project brings together patients, providers, decision makers and researchers to provide a better understanding of how patient enrolment with a GP affects patient experience, continuity and quality of care, and policy-relevant outcomes that are important for the sustainability of our health care systems. Special attention is paid to the experience of diabetic patients.

Quebec and British Columbia have already implemented patient enrolment programs. These programs are designed quite differently; this project focuses on these two provinces. Research team members will talk to patients and family doctors to hear about their experiences and their priorities. They will also use health care data and statistical methods designed to evaluate policy interventions to understand what patient enrolment means in terms of quality and continuity of care. Results from this research project will advance our understanding of primary care and healthcare policy in the management of diabetes. This will also, ultimately, lead to advancement in understanding other chronic diseases.

Funding:
 CIHR SPOR Network, Michael Smith Foundation, Quebec Ministry of Health, Réseau-1 QC, McGill University, Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Charles LeMoyne.

Nominated principal applicant: Erin Strumpf

Principal Knowledge Users:
Antoine Groulx,
Heather Davidson

Principal applicants:
Laurie Goldsmith,
Christine Loignon,
Kimberlyn McGrail

Patient Partner :
Amélie Bouchard

Co-applicants :
Maxine Dumas Pilon,
Catherine Hudon,
France Légaré,
Marie-Jo Ouimet,
Ruth Lavergne

Launch of New Diabetes Wellness Website

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New Diabetes, Exercise & Healthy Lifestyle Program, “Diabetes College“, launched at the University Health Network in partnership with the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre – University of Toronto, supported by SunLife Financial.

To learn more about this innovative program, click on the link below: 

 

Diabetes Action Canada – at the SPOR SUMMIT – Oct 25-27th in Ottawa

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November 1, 2016
For immediate release

Diabetes Action Canada – at the SPOR SUMMIT – Oct 25-27th in Ottawa

Diabetes Action Canada is a major participant in the SPOR SUMMIT – Health Innovation: Working Together on Shared Health Priorities meetings in Ottawa from Oct 25-27th.  The SPOR SUMMIT brings together over 300 members and partners of the CIHR SPOR Program to demonstrate progress to date, network and learn about new opportunities to collaborate with both public and private sectors.

Since its launch in 2012, CIHR has committed approximately $600 million to SPOR, with partners committing an additional $400 million. Most recently, CIHR provided $62 million to support five SPOR Networks in Chronic Diseases – an investment that leveraged an additional $126 million dollars from partners, including universities, hospitals, industry, health charities, and provincial agencies. This is a clear demonstration that stakeholders and decision-makers across Canada understand the powerful impact that SPOR has on improving health and health care delivery.

Diabetes Action Canada presented its 5 year plan engaging patients at all levels of its activities. As well, our Executive Director was invited to participate in the session entitled: Interaction Between SPOR SUPPORT Units and Networks. Representing the 5 SPOR Networks in Chronic Disease, Dr. Whiteside indicated that CIHR has the opportunity to lead a network-of-Networks collaboration across Canada through collaboration that could immediately focus on the core common interests among all parts of the SPOR Program including: patient-engagement, Indigenous Health, health informatics and clinical trials. Diabetes Action Canada is collaborating with a number of SPOR SUPPORT Units across Canada and looks forward to expanding this collaboration as research and knowledge translation projects evolve. The joint provincial and CIHR funding for the SPOR SUPPORT units will be completed over the next two to three years, providing an opportunity for more clear alignment of major goals with the SPOR Networks.

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Diabetes Action Canada – Symposium at the Canadian Diabetes Association Annual Conference – Oct 28th in Ottawa

“Initiative – Leveraging Technology and Networking for Diabetes Research in Canada”

Diabetes Action Canada: A SPOR Network in Diabetes and Its Related Complications’

Chair: Gary Lewis 

What is the Added Value of Patient Engagement in Diabetes Research?

Maman Joyce Dogba

Sex and Gender: The Key to Better Diabetes Research

Paula A. Rochon

Reaching the Patient: Modernizing Diabetes Outcomes Research Through the Use of the Mobile Health Apps

Joseph Cafazzo

Muscarinic Receptor Antagonism to Treat Diabetic Neuropath

Paul Fernyhough

New Network Launched to Address Diabetes Complications

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Partnership unites nine institutions in fight against diabetes

For Immediate Release – March 31, 2016

TORONTO, ON – A new national research network was launched today to transform the health outcomes of individuals with diabetes and its related complications. It will be led by two of Canada’s top researchers in the field and includes researchers conducting leading-edge health and biomedical research at nine institutions across the country.

“Diabetes is a huge burden to our health system right now. One in four Canadians have diabetes or pre-diabetes and it’s costing us $16-billion per year to treat. By 2020, we anticipate that more than 3 million Canadians will have diabetes. We have an opportunity to harness the tremendous research being done in Canada to find better solutions,” said Professor Gary Lewis, Director of the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist with the University Health Network.

Lewis will lead the new Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Network in Diabetes and Related Complications – with Professor Jean-Pierre Després, Scientific Director of the Cardiology Division of the Quebec Heart and Lung institute, Director of Science and Innovation at Alliance santé Québec and a Professor of Kinesiology at Université Laval.

Today, Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott announced funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) for five SPOR Networks in Chronic Disease. “These networks will produce the innovations that improve health of Canadians and position Canada as a global leader in research on these chronic diseases,” said CIHR President Dr. Alain Beaudet.

Each SPOR Network will receive $12.45-million from CIHR to be matched by partners. The SPOR Network in Diabetes and Related Complications has partnered with the Canadian Diabetes Association, JDRF, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Research Manitoba, Alliance santé Quebec, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, as well as private sector contributors including Merck Canada Inc., Astra-Zeneca Inc., Caprion Proteome Inc., and WinSanTor Inc., for a total five-year investment of an additional $19-million for the SPOR Network in Diabetes and Related Complications.

“JDRF is proud to be a SPOR partner, as we greatly value Canadian researchers working collaboratively to accelerate diabetes research. This gives patients hope for a better world, a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D) and this research will move us there faster,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada.

“Our network will facilitate meaningful connections between primary healthcare providers, their patients and relevant specialists to achieve improved care and significant cost savings within our health system,” said Després.

“I have been living with T1D for 49 years, and have experienced how devastating diabetic related complications can be; I lost my eyesight 25 years ago. Last week my 14-year-old nephew was diagnosed with T1D. This disease continues its devastating path, which is what compels me to fight back and be a member of this SPOR Network,” said patient advocate Debbie Sissmore. “I am delighted to represent and advocate for the Canadians that need help in the prevention and treatment of diabetes related complications.”

A focus for the network will be the impact diabetes has on vulnerable groups, including Indigenous peoples, immigrants, women and lower socio-economic groups. “We know that diabetes has a disproportionate impact on these groups, but there is still much more research to be done on why and how to deliver appropriate and culturally sensitive treatments,” said Lewis.

The network will be based in Toronto at the University Health Network and University of Toronto. The other partner organizations are Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval, Université de Montréal, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Manitoba, and the University of New Brunswick.

You can learn more about the SPOR Network in Diabetes by visiting their website:www.SPORNetworkDiabetes.ca
For more information:

Liam Mitchell
Associate Director, Communications
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Tel: 416-978-4672
Email: liam.mitchell@utoronto.ca

 

Message from Our Co-Scientific Leads

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It is an exciting time to be part of Diabetes Action Canada.  We have now been in operation for almost a year and a half and already we are starting to see meaningful contributions to improving the lives of those living with diabetes.  So far we have organized ourselves into eight Goal Groups, with four of these group being cross-cutting – Patient Engagements, Training and Mentoring, Knowledge Translation, Sex and Gender and four of these groups addressing an acute concern among our patient partners with diabetes –  Diabetic Retinopathy, Indigenous Health, Innovations in Type-1 Diabetes, Health Informatics.  We are also thrilled to introduce a newly formed ninth goal group in Foot Care and Prevention of Lower Extremity Amputation.  This group will be tailoring its goals and objectives in the very near future and will bring great value to our Network, as amputation is a significant concern raised by our Indigenous Circle and Collective Patient Circle.  It is quite gratifying that our Goal Group projects are informed by patients with experiential knowledge to optimize impact. We are proud that all the parts of our Network are working together focused on improving the lives of those living with diabetes.

Diabetes Action Canada is truly asserting itself as a catalytic research consortium that has the capacity to scale-up effective health-care solutions. We have ongoing fruitful partnerships with Diabetes Canada and JDRF and in the following Newsletter you will read about how Diabetes Action Canada was involved in both the CIHR/JDRF innovative clinical trials multi-year operating grant applications and the Diabetes Canada Professional Conference.  Diabetes Action Canada is really starting to produce results and over the next couple of months, we will be implementing a new communications plan to better inform our community and patients of all our activities. Also, look out for us on Twitter and LinkedIn for more frequent news items and updates!

Also featured in this newsletter is the incredible work of our Training and Mentoring Goal Group, led by André Carpentier, Mathieu Bélanger, Aurel Schofield and Michelle Murray.  This Goal Group aims to strengthen patient-oriented research capacity in Canada for diabetes and its related complications. They develop and organize training and mentoring opportunities for graduate students (MSc and PhD), postdoctoral fellows and health professionals to develop the next generation of patient-oriented researchers.   Already this group has run numerous training sessions (in French and English) across Canada and we are excited to announce a major training event to be held in Toronto on May 3, 2018, immediately prior to our Annual Workshop, May 4, 5.  Our Training and Mentoring Goal Group engages patients as facilitators in these training sessions. The aim is to successfully build teams of patients and researchers to ‘humanize’ diabetes and guide researchers towards outcomes that directly address the concerns of patients.  This group also actively collaborates with other SPOR Networks to enhance capacity building and design new approaches to teaching and learning. We encourage you to read this feature for a more complete picture of our training and mentoring initiatives.

We will close by wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season.  2018 promises to be a remarkable time for Diabetes Action Canada as we move forward rapidly to realize our vision and mission.